Thursday, January 27, 2011

My Morning (that used to be an Evening) Jacket

I'll return to the subject of resort wear shortly. In the mean-time, a little outfit post and associated blurb. As a 30s lover, I see some interesting things when I am out foraging for vintage. For some reason, 30s garments seem to mystify a good deal of sellers. I've blogged before about how I constantly see 1930s bias cut nightgowns sold as evening gowns. I recall commenters telling stories of seeing people out at events wearing these very nightgowns to fancy evening soirees (often none the wiser). Another common mislabelling trend I've seen lately is 20s and 30s bed jackets being sold as evening jackets or lovely day blouses. To be fair, the line between boudoir and ballroom wear was often fine in the 30s. Still, sellers should do their best to know the difference....and buyers have to be on their toes to avoid buying something that they think is something else. Now, if you are deliberately seeking nighties that you want to wear as evening gowns or if you love consciously wearing bed jackets as cute blouses because that is your style, good on ya! I have seen some stylish gals do a fantastic job of repurposing things like bed jackets into darling day or evening pieces. Me, I just can't seem to muster up the right level of self-assurance to wear lingerie as day or evening wear. HOWEVER, I *love* to wear stylish 30s rayon day dresses as cocktail/evening wear (rarely do my evening gowns ever see the light of the moon) AND this Sunday, I'm going to wear a newly acquired cream NRA label taffeta evening jacket over a 30s cotton dress to brunch. Here's the funny part: this jacket was sold to me as a 40s bed jacket. Confused yet?

17 comments:

Mislabeling does irritate me too, however, I find that I often get better deals this way. I bet you got a good deal on the evening jacket because it was mislabeled. It's very cute and I love how you paired it with a cotton dress. :)

I must confess, I am one of those gals who thought at least once about wearing bed jackets as day blouses. I hasn't happened yet, I haven't acquired any, but it crossed my mind on more than one occasion. I wouldn't wear them to bed, as I don't sleep in style, but some of them seem to pretty to ignore. At the same time I am seriously lacking in blouses in my wardrobe, and don't seem able to find any that I could afford, not even modern ones looking vintagey. What's a gal to do then?

I have to admit, I do rather like repurposing lingerie pieces into day wear; I have worn a bedjacket or camisole more than once as a blouse! But then again, my underlying style veers ultimately towards the romantic, so no surprises there since those types of garments are often covered with lace and such. ;) But I agree that dealers should be more vigilant about labeling things correctly--after all, it's their business! :)

Harlow Darling: kind thanks! Even though it's sort of snowy/slushy out here, I'm determined to wear those shoes with this outfit to Sunday's brunch . Better re-treat them with protective spray.

Emily: good point. I love when such things work in the buyer's favour. Such was indeed the case with the jacket I got. However, I do think many times, people get gouged when they buy nightgowns as evening gowns, and AT evening gown prices, especially when the nightgown is actually satin rayon, rather than crepe backed satin (more often used in evening gowns)--in short, a nightgown should be worth less than an evening gown but when it's mis-sold as such, the seller gets license to jack the price higher!

garofit, casey: As I noted, I totally admire when a person can make a BEAUTIFUL look using repurposed lingerie. For some reason, I just have not successful worked these pieces into my look, though, like you Casey, I am a big fan of romantic lace! Maybe it's the fact that I just find peach a tricky color to wear. At any rate, I think that's the beauty of vintage--mix and match and have fun devising ensembles that YOU love!

I agree, I've been wanting to find a way to wear some of these gorgeous bed jackets for a while. They're so dainty and elegant. I'd hate to just reserve them for hubby's eyes only! Next time I see one for a decent price, I think I'll grab it and try to rock it! I've worn silky camis as blouses in the summer so I bet it would be okay. By the way, I love the color of your dress in this pic. It looks stunning on you! Have a good weekend! :)

I'm thinking my reservations have to do with the fact I lived through the Courtney Love slip dress trend in the 90s...but I agree, Brittany, I think there are some gorgeous ones out there that would look lovely!! Kind thanks for your compliment as well!

It's annoying to find things mis-labelled but often bargains come along that way. On the subject of the fine line between night and evening wear I often think vintage nightgown patterns would make lovely evening dresses in modern fabric.

Oh yes Miss Rayne, the silhouettes of nightgowns with evening wear fabric can be brilliant! Really, that is what gets some people trying to tell 30s nightgowns from evening gowns confused: the bias cut silhouettes and key hole details, etc, are often identical. It's the tags, the attached self ties, and the fabric weights and types that can best help one tell them apart, I guess!

The bias does confuse people doesn't it. I have a lovely sating bed jacket which I did buy as a bed jacket, but entirely plan on wearing as a blouse. I plan to lightly tack the front (so it can be undone at any time later) and wear it with skirt. I find it so hard to get nice blouses, so will wear it whatever it is called! x

Thanks, Nancy & Mrs. Exeter! Every time I rewatch The Thin Man and see Myrna Loy's amazing bed jackets, I make a mental note to wear one while reading before bed, but then I always fall asleep before I actually do! hah!